Ben Raine, a sturdy left-handed batsman and medium pacer, had a breakthrough season in 2015 when he took 59 Championship wickets, as well as striking more than 500 runs, and was one of the players most capable of rallying spirits as Leicestershire headed towards a third successive bottom-placed finish. His coach Andrew McDonald predicted better things to come in 2016, only for Leicestershire to improve but Raine himself to mark time.

He made his Championship debut for Leicestershire at Glamorgan in 2013 and collected four wickets. He then advertised his all-round qualities with a career-best 72 against the eventual Division Two champions, Lancashire.

Raine, Sunderland born and a former England U-19, previously made two appearances for Durham in 2011, including a first-class debut against the Sri Lankan tourists. He spent four years at the Durham academy.